Mobile electronic device, electronic timepiece, determination method, and method of saving positional information

ABSTRACT

A mobile electronic device including: a movement detection sensor; a positioning module; a processor; and a memory, wherein the processor determines whether the device is moving on the basis of a first tentative determination result obtained by determining whether the device is moving based on a value obtained from the movement detection sensor as well as a second tentative determination result obtained by determining whether the device is moving based on positional information detected by the positioning module, and, upon determining that the device is moving, stores the positional information detected by the positioning module in the memory.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Technical Field

The technical field relates to a mobile electronic device, an electronictimepiece, a determination method, and a method of saving positionalinformation.

Background Art

In general, electronic timepieces have a small area in which componentscan be packaged, and as a result it is not possible to includehigh-capacity memory. Therefore, when recording information such asrunning records, conventional electronic timepieces use an accelerationsensor to perform a state determination and stop logging data whenmovement stops so as to reduce memory usage. In this way, conventionalelectronic timepieces prevent unavoidable interruptions in runningrecords due to waiting at traffic signals or the like from beingreflected in those running records.

Moreover, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No.2004-233058 discloses a technology in which information obtained from amagnetic direction sensor and an acceleration sensor is used to correctpositional information received using a Global Positioning System (GPS)receiver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Additional or separate features and advantages of the invention will beset forth in the descriptions that follow and in part will be apparentfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realizedand attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the writtendescription and claims thereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purposeof the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, in oneaspect, the present disclosure provides a mobile electronic deviceincluding: a movement detection sensor; a positioning module; aprocessor; and a memory, wherein the processor determines whether thedevice is moving on the basis of a first tentative determination resultobtained by determining whether the device is moving based on a valueobtained from the movement detection sensor as well as a secondtentative determination result obtained by determining whether thedevice is moving based on positional information detected by thepositioning module, and, upon determining that the device is moving,stores the positional information detected by the positioning module inthe memory.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a mobile electronicdevice, comprising: a positioning module that performs positioning ofthe mobile electronic device by receiving radio waves from navigationsatellites; a movement detection sensor that detects movement of theelectronic device without using the radio waves from navigationsatellites; a processor; and a memory, wherein the processor executes aprescribed process on the basis of a first tentative determinationresult obtained by determining whether the mobile electronic device ismoving based on a signal obtained from the movement detection sensor aswell as a second tentative determination result obtained by determiningwhether the mobile electronic device is moving based on positionalinformation detected by the positioning module.

In the above-described mobile electronic device, the processor maydetermine whether the mobile electronic device is moving or stationaryon the basis of the first tentative determination result and the secondtentative determination result as the prescribed process.

In the above-described mobile electronic device, the processor maydetermine whether to store the positional information detected by thepositioning module in the memory on the basis of the first tentativedetermination result and the second tentative determination result asthe prescribed process.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method performed bythe processor in the above-described mobile electronic device, includingthe above-enumerated processes.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory, andare intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile electronic device according toEmbodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a determination method used inmaking an overall determination of whether the device is moving.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a log saving control operation.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating log saving determination results whenusing an acceleration sensor and GPS.

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating log saving determination results for whenthe GPS is stopped.

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the behavior of the mobileelectronic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an example of a map screen which displays log results for whenlog recording is interrupted.

FIG. 8 is an example of a map screen which displays log results for whenlogs are continuously recorded.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a mobile electronic device according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for intermittent reception.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Next, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to figures.Note that the figures are nothing more than schematic illustrationsintended to facilitate sufficient understanding of these embodiments.Moreover, components that are shared and components that are similar aregiven the same reference characters in the figures, and redundantdescriptions of such components will be omitted.

EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an instrumentation system used in a mobileelectronic device according to the present embodiment.

A mobile device system 1 a includes an electronic timepiece 100 a (amobile electronic device) and a mobile information device 200 which areconnected so as to be able to communicate with one another. Theelectronic timepiece 100 a has a feature for sequentially storingpositional information associated with movement by way of walking orrunning as a log. The mobile information device 200 is a smartphonewhich has features for receiving this positional information from theelectronic timepiece 100 a and for displaying movement paths togetherwith map information on a display unit 150.

The electronic timepiece 100 a includes a processor 10; a GPS_IC 20(positioning module); an acceleration sensor 31 (movement detectionsensor); a pressure sensor 32; a magnetic sensor 33 (direction sensor);a non-volatile memory 40 which stores map data, firmware data, and logs;a non-volatile font memory 45; and a display unit 50. Here, the firmwaredata is a program for operating the GPS_IC 20.

The GPS_IC 20 (positioning module) receives positional information forthe mobile electronic device itself from satellites. The GPS_IC 20includes a GPS determination unit 21 (second determination unit) whichhas a feature for using the received positional information to determinewhether the device is moving, stationary, or in some other indeterminatestate. The GPS determination unit 21 also has a feature for using anangle calculated from the latitude and longitude between two points todetermine whether the device is moving linearly. The GPS_IC 20 isconnected to the non-volatile memory 40 and has an output buffer 22.Thus, the GPS_IC 20 has features for reading map data stored in thenon-volatile memory 40 and for storing positional information in thenon-volatile memory 40 as a log via the output buffer 22. In otherwords, the GPS_IC 20 has features for sequentially storing positionalinformation in the internal output buffer 22 and for batch-storing thisstored positional information in the non-volatile memory 40.

The acceleration sensor 31 detects accelerations to which the deviceitself is subjected. By calculating the magnitude and period ofaccelerations to which the device itself is subjected and comparingthese to prescribed threshold values, the electronic timepiece 100 a candetermine whether the device is moving (as a result of walking, running,or the like) or not moving. Note that although in this embodiment theacceleration sensor 31 is used as the movement detection sensor, sensorsthat can be used for the movement detection sensor are not limited tothis example. The movement detection sensor can be implemented using asensor such as an inclination sensor or an angular velocity sensor or byusing a plurality of sensors in combination. Furthermore, the pressuresensor 32 is a sensor which detects atmospheric pressure and is used tocalculate altitude when hiking in the mountains or the like. Themagnetic sensor 33 is a sensor which detects geomagnetism and is used todetect changes in the direction of movement by walking or running. Notethat although in this embodiment the magnetic sensor 33 is used as thedirection sensor, sensors that can be used for the direction sensor arenot limited to this example. The direction sensor can be implementedusing a sensor such as an inclination sensor or an angular velocitysensor or by using a plurality of sensors in combination.

In addition to storing fonts, the non-volatile font memory 45 storestime, pace, distance, laps, heart rate, pressure altitude, and the likeas logged items. The display unit 50 is a liquid crystal display panelwhich displays time and positional information as numeric characters,for example. A communication unit 60 is connected to the mobileinformation device 200 via Bluetooth (registered trademark) so as toenable short-range wireless communications therebetween.

The processor 10 is a central processing unit (CPU) and executesprograms stored in memory to implement the functions of an accelerationdetermination unit 11 (first determination unit), a determination unit12, and a log saving processor 13. Moreover, by executing programs theprocessor 10 implements a determination method and a method of savingpositional information. The acceleration determination unit 11 uses theacceleration sensor 31 to determine whether the device itself is moving(as a result of walking or running) or not moving. The determinationunit 12 performs an overall determination of whether the device itselfis moving on the basis of the determination results from theacceleration determination unit 11 (a first tentative determinationresult) and the determination results from the GPS determination unit 21(a second tentative determination result). If the determination unit 12makes an overall determination that the device is moving, the log savingprocessor 13 enters a “save logs” state, and if the determination unit12 determines that the device is stationary, the log saving processor 13enters a “do not save logs” state. In this way, the log saving processor13 controls the GPS_IC 20 so as to reduce storage of logs (positionalinformation) in the non-volatile memory 40. Furthermore, even when theoverall determination yields “save logs”, if the GPS determination unit21 determines that the device is moving linearly, the log savingprocessor 13 reduces storage of logs (positional information).

The mobile information device 200 is a smartphone which includes aprocessor 110, various sensors 130, a memory 140, a display unit 150,and a communication unit 160. The processor 110 is a CPU and executesprograms to batch-receive (or sequentially receive) the positionalinformation (logs) stored in the non-volatile memory 40 by theelectronic timepiece 100 a via the communication unit 160 as well as todisplay the received positional information (movement paths) togetherwith map information on the display unit 150. The sensor 130 is a GPS oracceleration sensor and receives positional information or detectsgravitational force for use in determining the display orientation ofthe display unit 150. The display unit 150 is a touch panel displayequipped with an input feature.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the determination method used inmaking the overall determination of whether the device is moving. Thisroutine (SP10) is periodically executed by the determination unit 12when the electronic timepiece 100 a is in “traveling mode” or “exercisemode”. Here, the acceleration determination unit 11 uses theacceleration sensor 31 to determine whether the device is moving.

The determination unit 12 determines whether the GPS_IC 20 is receivingradio waves and has a fix on positional information or whether theGPS_IC 20 was set to OFF or was otherwise not receiving radio waves(SP11). If a positional information fix has been obtained (FIX in SP11),the determination unit 12 determines whether an acceleration sensordetermination result from the acceleration determination unit 11 is“moving” or “not moving” (S12). If the acceleration sensor determinationresult is “moving” (Moving in SP11), the determination unit 12determines whether a GPS determination result from the GPS determinationunit 21 is “moving”, “stationary”, or “indeterminate” (SP13).

If the GPS determination result is “stationary” (Stationary in SP13),the determination unit 12 sets a flag to “do not save logs” (SP14).Meanwhile, if the GPS determination result is “moving” (Moving in SP13),the determination unit 12 sets the flag to “save logs” (SP15). Moreover,even if the GPS determination result is “indeterminate”, thedetermination unit 12 still sets the flag to “save logs” (SP15).

Meanwhile, if the acceleration sensor determination result (in SP12) is“not moving”, the determination unit 12 determines whether the GPSdetermination result from the GPS determination unit 21 is “moving”,“stationary”, or “indeterminate” (SP16). If the GPS determination resultis “stationary” (Stationary in SP16), the determination unit 12 sets theflag to “do not save logs” (SP14). Meanwhile, if the GPS determinationresult is “moving” (Moving in SP16), the determination unit 12 sets theflag to “save logs” (SP15). Moreover, if the GPS determination result is“indeterminate” (Indeterminate in SP16), the determination unit 12 setsthe flag to “do not save logs” (SP14).

Here, if during the determination in SP11 the GPS_IC 20 was set to OFFor was otherwise not receiving radio waves (“OFF or LOST” in SP11), thedetermination unit 12 determines whether the acceleration sensordetermination result from the acceleration determination unit 11 is“moving” or “not moving” (SP17). If the acceleration sensordetermination result is “not moving” (Not moving in SP17), thedetermination unit 12 sets the flag to “do not save logs” (SP14).Meanwhile, if the acceleration sensor determination result is “moving”(Moving in SP17), the determination unit 12 sets the flag to “save logs”(SP15). Then, once the process of SP14 or SP15 has been completed, thisroutine ends.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a log saving control operation.

This routine (SP20) is periodically executed independently of the SP10routine described above (FIG. 2).

The log saving processor 13 determines whether the device is set to“continuously receive” (S21). If the device is not set to “continuouslyreceive” (NO in S21), the log saving processor 13 ends the process ofthis routine immediately. Here, when not set to “continuously receive”,the device is set to “receive intermittently”, which will be describedin Embodiment 2.

If the device is set to “continuously receive” (YES in S21), the logsaving processor 13 determines whether a DATAREADY signal that occurswhen the position is updated has been sent (S22). If the DATAREADYsignal has been sent (YES in S22), the log saving processor 13 reads alinear movement determination result from the GPS_IC 20 (S23). After theprocess of S23, the log saving processor 13 determines whether the flagset in the process of SP20 (FIG. 2) is set to “save logs” or is set to“do not save logs” (S24).

If the flag is set to “save logs” (YES in S24), the log saving processor13 determines whether T seconds (where T=5 seconds, for example) or morehave elapsed since the previous position update (S25).

If T=5 seconds or more have not elapsed since the previous positionupdate (NO in S25), the log saving processor 13 determines whether theGPS linear movement determination result from the GPS_IC 20 is “linearmovement” (S26). If the GPS linear movement determination result is“linear movement” (YES in S26), the log saving processor 13 adds 1 to acontinued linear movement counter (S27). After S27, the log savingprocessor 13 determines whether the continued linear movement counter isgreater than or equal to N (where N=5, for example) (S28). If thecontinued linear movement counter is greater than or equal to N=5 (YESin S28), the log saving processor 13 clears the continued linearmovement counter (S29) and then confirms “log to save” (S30).

Meanwhile, if five seconds or more have elapsed since the previousposition update (YES in S25) or if the GPS linear movement determinationresult is not “linear movement” (NO in S26), the log saving processor 13clears the continued linear movement counter (S29) and then confirms“log to save” (S30).

Moreover, if the continued linear movement counter is less than N in thedetermination of S28 (NO in S28) or if the flag was “do not save logs”in the determination of S24 (NO in S24), the log saving processor 13confirms “no log to save”. Here, in this “no log to save” case, theprocessor 10 also prevents time, pace, distance, laps, heart rate,pressure altitude, and the like from being stored in the non-volatilefont memory 45.

In other words, when T=5 seconds or more have elapsed or the GPS linearmovement determination result is “linear movement” and the continuedlinear movement counter is greater than or equal to N=5, the log savingprocessor 13 confirms “log to save”. Thus, even if linear movementcontinues, the log is only saved once per five times, and log saving isskipped for the other four times. Moreover, depending on the receptionenvironment, position updates might not necessarily be received everysecond, and therefore if five seconds or more have elapsed since theprevious position update, the log is saved instead of skipping the save.Then, if “log to save” has been confirmed, the log saving processor 13makes the GPS_IC 20 save the log, and if “no log to save” has beenconfirmed, the log saving processor 13 does not make the GPS_IC 20 savethe log.

FIG. 4 is a table illustrating log saving determination results whenusing an acceleration sensor and GPS.

The column direction gives the acceleration sensor determinationresults, and the row direction gives the GPS determination results. Inother words, the column direction lists the “not moving” and “moving”determination results from the acceleration determination unit 11 (FIG.1), and the row direction lists the “stationary”, “moving”, and“indeterminate” determination results from the GPS determination unit21. Here, temporary suspensions in log saving are represented by X, andcancellation of temporary suspensions in log saving are represented byO.

When the acceleration sensor determination result is “not moving” (Notmoving in S12 (FIG. 2)) and the GPS determination result is “stationary”(Stationary in SP16 (FIG. 2)), an overall determination that the deviceis “stationary” is made, and log saving is temporarily suspended (X). Ifthe GPS determination result is “moving” (Moving in SP16), an overalldetermination that the device is also moving is made, and any temporarysuspensions in log saving are canceled (O). When the GPS determinationresult is “indeterminate” (Indeterminate in SP16), log saving istemporarily suspended (X). In other words, when the acceleration sensordetermination result is not moving and the GPS determination result areboth “indeterminate”, no logs are saved, which makes it possible toconserve memory.

Meanwhile, when the acceleration sensor determination result is “moving”(Moving in SP12) and the GPS determination result is “stationary”(Stationary in SP13), log saving is temporarily suspended (X). In otherwords, the GPS determination result of “moving” is prioritized over theacceleration sensor determination result of “stationary”. Meanwhile, ifthe GPS determination result is “moving” (Moving in SP13), any temporarysuspensions in log saving are canceled (O). Moreover, when the GPSdetermination result is “indeterminate” (Indeterminate in SP13 or SP16),depending on the acceleration sensor determination result, temporarysuspensions in log saving are canceled (O), or the log saving istemporarily suspended (X).

FIG. 5 is a table illustrating log saving determination results for whenthe GPS is stopped.

In other words, this table illustrates log saving determination resultsfor when the determination in SP11 of FIG. 2 yields “OFF or LOST”.

Regardless of the GPS determination result, if the acceleration sensordetermination result is “not moving”, log saving is temporarilysuspended (X), while if the acceleration sensor determination result is“moving”, any temporary suspensions in log saving are canceled (O).

FIG. 6 is a timing chart for explaining the behavior of the mobileelectronic device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.Note that this timing chart is a timing chart for when the device is in“continuously receive” mode, in which the GPS_IC 20 is continuouslyoperated at intervals of approximately one second. A “receiveintermittently” mode, in which the GPS_IC 20 is operated intermittentlyin order to conserve power, will be described in Embodiment 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the processor 10 and the GPS_IC 20 areconnected via signal lines which transmit a plurality of signals (1PPS,DATAREADY, I2C communications, and a log saving instruction terminalP17). Here, the 1PPS signal and the DATAREADY signal are signals thatare transmitted from the GPS_IC 20 to the processor 10, while the I2Ccommunications and the log saving instruction terminal (P17) are signalsthat are transmitted from the processor 10 to the GPS_IC 20.

In other words, the 1PPS signal and the DATAREADY signal are signalsthat are output during GPS-side control, while the I2C communicationsand the log saving instruction terminal (P17) are signals that areissued during timepiece microcomputer-side control. Moreover, uponreceiving the DATAREADY signal, the processor 10 uses an I2Ccommunication to access a prescribed address in RAM and read what typeof READY signal was sent. Here, if the log saving instruction terminal(P17) is set to “OK to save logs” (a LOW level) in the initial state,then logs would be saved as soon as an initial position is fixed even ifthe run has not yet started. Therefore, in the initial state (t<t3),this terminal is set to “Not OK to save logs” (a HIGH level) so thatlogs are saved when the initial position is fixed after the run starts.

At time t0, the GPS_IC 20 uses the 1PPS signal to notify the processor10 that an initial position has been fixed, and at time t1, the GPS_IC20 uses the DATAREADY signal to notify that the position has beenupdated. In other words, once an initial position has been fixed, theGPS_IC 20 uses the 1PPS signal and the DATAREADY signal to send an“initial position fixed” notification to the processor 10.

Moreover, once this “initial position fixed” notification is sent to theprocessor 10 via the DATAREADY signal at time t1, the processor 10 usesan I2C communication to read the Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) timeat time t1. At time t2, upon finishing reading the UTC time theprocessor 10 executes a timepiece time correction process and a logsaving determination process, and then at time t3 the processor 10switches the log saving instruction terminal P17 from “Not OK to savelogs” (the HIGH level) to “OK to save logs” (the LOW level).

At time t3, once the log saving instruction terminal P17 has beenswitched to “OK to save logs”, the GPS_IC 20 stores the log that iscurrently stored in the output buffer 22 (FIG. 1) in the non-volatilememory 40 (FIG. 1). Then, at time t4, the GPS_IC 20 uses the DATAREADYsignal to send a “log save complete” notification to the processor 10.The processor 10 responds to the DATAREADY signal by sending an I2Ccommunication to the GPS_IC 20 to read the contents of the READY signal.Using these processes, the processor 10 determines whether to save logsbased on the results of the GPS-side state determination and linearmovement determination as well as on the result of the accelerationsensor 31 state determination performed by the processor 10. If thedetermination result is “save logs”, then the processor 10 makes the logsaving instruction terminal P17 transition to the LOW level. Moreover,the processor 10 stores a cumulative GPS distance read from the GPS_IC20 and also instructs the GPS_IC 20 to save logs if this distance hasreached a prescribed auto-lap distance.

When a position update occurs at time t5, for example, the GPS_IC 20sends a “position update” notification to the processor 10 via theDATAREADY signal. At time t6, once the processor 10 receives this“position update” notification, the processor 10 uses an I2Ccommunication to read the cumulative GPS distance. At time t7, uponcompleting the read of the cumulative GPS distance, the processor 10performs a log saving determination. Here, if the result of the logsaving determination indicates that logs should not be saved, forexample, the processor 10 keeps the log saving instruction terminal P17at “Not OK to save logs” (the HIGH level).

At time t8, which occurs after approximately one second has elapsedsince time t5, the GPS_IC 20 once again uses the DATAREADY signal tosend a “position update” notification to the processor 10. At time t9,upon receiving this “position update” notification, the processor 10uses an I2C communication to read the cumulative GPS distance. At timet10, upon completing the read of the cumulative GPS distance, theprocessor 10 performs a log saving determination. At time t11, theprocessor 10 switches the log saving instruction terminal P17 from “NotOK to save logs” (the HIGH level) to “OK to save logs” (the LOW level).Next, the GPS_IC 20 saves the logs and then, at time t12, sends a “logsave complete” notification to the processor 10.

FIG. 7 is an example of a map screen which displays log results for whenlog recording is interrupted, and FIG. 8 is an example of a map screenwhich displays log results for when logs are continuously recorded.FIGS. 7 and 8 are both screens which are displayed by the display unit150 (FIG. 1) of the mobile information device 200. As illustrated inFIG. 8, when logs are continuously recorded without any interruptions inrecording, a concentrated area 189 a in which the walking or runningpath was concentrated in one location sometimes appears. However, asillustrated in FIG. 7, interrupting log recording makes it possible toavoid such concentration of paths.

Moreover, at the top of a map screen 180, a day selection button 181, aweek selection button 182, and a month selection button 183 are arrangedside by side. In FIGS. 7 and 8, the day selection button 181 is in aselected state, which indicates that the exercise data is beingdisplayed on a per-day basis.

Beneath the day selection button 181, the week selection button 182, andthe month selection button 183, a date field 185 is displayed. The datefield 185 is a field which displays the dates of the currently selectedtime frame and here displays “Jan. 15, 2019”, for example.

A path 189 displayed in a map region 186 shows a history of logs(positional information) that has been stored by the electronictimepiece 100 a superimposed on a two-dimensional map. A graph 187 showsa history of the user's step count information sorted by exerciseintensity.

As described above, the acceleration determination unit 11 of theelectronic timepiece 100 a of the present embodiment determines whetherthe device is “moving” or in some other “not moving” state, and the GPSdetermination unit 21 determines whether the device is “moving”,“stationary”, or in some other “indeterminate” state. In general, whenthe GPS determination unit 21 makes a determination of “stationary”, thedetermination unit 12 determines that the device (the electronictimepiece 100 a) is “stationary” regardless of the determination resultfrom the acceleration determination unit 11. Then, the log savingprocessor 13 temporarily suspends saving of logs. Furthermore, when theGPS determination unit 21 makes a determination of “moving”, thedetermination unit 12 determines that the device is “moving” regardlessof the determination performed by the acceleration determination unit11. Then, the log saving processor 13 cancels any temporary suspensionson log saving. In addition, even when the GPS determination unit 21makes a determination of “stationary”, the log saving processor 13 onlysaves logs once per T seconds (five seconds, for example) or once per Ntimes (five times, for example), thereby cutting down on log saves.

Moreover, even when the GPS determination unit 21 makes a determinationof “indeterminate”, if the acceleration determination unit 11 makes adetermination of “moving”, the determination unit 12 determines that thedevice is “moving”. In this way, the determination unit 12 makes adetermination of “stationary” for any halts in movement while waitingfor traffic signals and makes a determination of “moving” when travelingby bicycle or by automobile or the like. Furthermore, when operated withthe GPS_IC 20 set to OFF, the determination unit 12 performs a statedetermination based only on the determination result from theacceleration determination unit 11.

Embodiment 2

Although Embodiment 1 as described above utilizes continuous receptionin which GPS signals are continuously received at an interval ofapproximately one second, intermittent reception in which the GPSsignals are received intermittently can also be used. Moreover, althoughin Embodiment 1 as described above logs and map data and firmware dataare all stored in the single non-volatile memory 40, a non-volatile logmemory and a non-volatile map memory can be separate.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a mobile electronic device according toEmbodiment 2 of the present invention.

A mobile device system 1 b includes an electronic timepiece 100 b (amobile electronic device) and a mobile information device 200. Themobile information device 200 has the same configuration as the mobileinformation device 200 of Embodiment 1 as described above. Below, theways in which the electronic timepiece 100 b differs from the electronictimepiece 100 a of Embodiment 1 will be described.

Between the processor 10 and the GPS_IC 20, a signal line that transmitsa SYS_SLEEP signal from the processor 10 to the GPS_IC 20 is added.Moreover, in the electronic timepiece 100 b a switch 49, a non-volatilelog memory 41, and a non-volatile map memory 42 are connected to theGPS_IC 20 instead of the non-volatile memory 40 (FIG. 1). Furthermore,in the electronic timepiece 100 b a FLASH switching terminal isconnected between the processor 10 and the switch 49. Note here that theSYS_SLEEP signal and the combination of the switch 49, the non-volatilelog memory 41, and the non-volatile map memory 42 are independent of oneanother. A signal line that transmits a SYS_SLEEP signal may be added,and a non-volatile memory 40 may be included instead of the switch 49,the non-volatile log memory 41, and the non-volatile map memory 42.

The SYS_SLEEP signal is a suspension signal which suspends the GPS_IC20. In this way, the processor 10 can make the GPS_IC 20 receiveintermittently. The non-volatile log memory 41 is a Flash ROM whichstores logs. The non-volatile map memory 42 is a Flash ROM which storesmap data and firmware data. The switch 49 switches the data bus for theGPS_IC 20 between the non-volatile log memory 41 and the non-volatilemap memory 42. The FLASH switching terminal is a terminal via which theprocessor 10 controls the switch 49.

Note here that the acceleration sensor 31, the pressure sensor 32, andthe magnetic sensor 33 are connected to the processor 10 and are notconnected to the GPS_IC 20. Therefore, even when receivingintermittently (that is, even when the GPS_IC 20 is suspended), pace(the period of the acceleration sensor), atmospheric pressure/altitude,and direction can be constantly displayed on the display unit 50.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart for intermittent reception.

The differences from the timing chart for continuous reception inEmbodiment 1 as described above (FIG. 6) are that the SYS_SLEEP signalis added and that the GPS_IC 20 sends a “SLEEP command response”notification instead of sending a “position update” notification via theDATAREADY signal (FIG. 6). Note also that FIG. 6 shows times t0 to t12.FIG. 10 shows times t0 to t4 (which are the same as in FIG. 6) as wellas times t13 to t19.

The SYS_SLEEP signal is a signal which causes the GPS_IC 20 to receiveGPS signals when at a HIGH level and causes this receipt to be suspendedwhen at a LOW level. In the present embodiment, after the “log savecomplete” notification at time t4, at time t13 the processor 10 issues aSLEEP command and then sets the SYS_SLEEP signal to the LOW level forone minute (t14). Upon detecting that the SYS_SLEEP signal hastransitioned to the LOW level, the GPS_IC 20 uses the DATAREADY signalto return a “SLEEP command response” notification to the processor 10(t15). At this time, the GPS_IC 20 is in a SLEEP state, and thereforeI2C communications are not used.

At time t18, when the SYS_SLEEP signal transitions from the LOW level tothe HIGH level, the GPS_IC 20 starts receiving GPS signals. Then, attime t19 the GPS_IC 20 uses the DATAREADY signal to send a “positionupdate” notification to the processor 10.

Moreover, the processor 10 also starts up the GPS_IC 20 when a distancecalculated with the acceleration sensor 31 approaches a distance set forauto-laps, when the magnetic sensor 33 detects a turn, when a lapoperation is performed by way of user operation, and upon a restartfollowing a stop operation.

As described above, the electronic timepiece 100 b of the presentembodiment utilizes intermittent reception, in which GPS positionalinformation is received intermittently. Here, upon detecting a turn viathe magnetic sensor 33, the processor 10 of the electronic timepiece 100b switches the GPS_IC 20 from a suspended state to an active state.Moreover, the GPS_IC 20 of the electronic timepiece 100 b stores logs inthe non-volatile log memory 41 and stores firmware data and map data inthe non-volatile map memory 42.

Modification Examples

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above,and modifications such as the following can be made, for example.

(1) The mobile electronic device of Embodiments 1 and 2 above wasdescribed as being an electronic timepiece as an example but mayalternatively be a smartphone. In this case, the map screens in FIGS. 7and 8 are displayed on the device itself.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it isintended that the present invention cover modifications and variationsthat come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.In particular, it is explicitly contemplated that any part or whole ofany two or more of the embodiments and their modifications describedabove can be combined and regarded within the scope of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile electronic device, comprising: apositioning module that performs positioning of the mobile electronicdevice by receiving radio waves from navigation satellites; a movementdetection sensor that detects movement of the electronic device withoutusing the radio waves from navigation satellites; a processor; and amemory, wherein the processor executes a prescribed process on the basisof a first tentative determination result obtained by determiningwhether the mobile electronic device is moving based on a signalobtained from the movement detection sensor as well as a secondtentative determination result obtained by determining whether themobile electronic device is moving based on positional informationdetected by the positioning module.
 2. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether themobile electronic device is moving or stationary on the basis of thefirst tentative determination result and the second tentativedetermination result as the prescribed process.
 3. The mobile electronicdevice according to claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether tostore the positional information detected by the positioning module inthe memory on the basis of the first tentative determination result andthe second tentative determination result as the prescribed process. 4.The mobile electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processordetermines the first tentative determination result on the basis of thesignal obtained from the movement detection sensor, the first tentativedetermination result being one of (1a) moving and (1b) not moving, andwherein the processor determines the second tentative determinationresult on the basis of the positional information detected by thepositioning module, the second tentative determination result being oneof (2a) moving, (2b) stationary, and (2c) indeterminate.
 5. The mobileelectronic device according to claim 4, wherein the processor determineswhether the mobile electronic device is moving or stationary on thebasis of the first tentative determination result and the secondtentative determination result as the prescribed process, wherein whenthe second tentative determination result is (2a) moving and the firsttentative determination result is (1b) not moving, the processordetermines that the mobile electronic device is moving, and wherein whenthe second tentative determination result is (2b) stationary and thefirst tentative determination result is (1a) moving, the processordetermines that the mobile electronic device is stationary.
 6. Themobile electronic device according to claim 4, wherein the processordetermines whether the mobile electronic device is moving or stationaryon the basis of the first tentative determination result and the secondtentative determination result as the prescribed process, and whereinwhen the second tentative determination result is (2c) indeterminate,the processor determines that the mobile electronic device is movingwhen the first tentative determination result is (1a) moving and theprocessor determines that the mobile electronic device is stationarywhen the first tentative determination result is (1b) not moving.
 7. Themobile electronic device according to claim 5, wherein when the secondtentative determination result is (2c) indeterminate, the processordetermines that the mobile electronic device is moving when the firsttentative determination result is (1a) moving and the processordetermines that the mobile electronic device is stationary when thefirst tentative determination result is (1b) not moving.
 8. The mobileelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the processor determineswhether the mobile electronic device is moving or stationary on thebasis of the first tentative determination result and the secondtentative determination result as the prescribed process, and whereinwhen the processor determines that the mobile electronic device ismoving, the processor sequentially stores a current position detected bythe positioning module in the memory, and when the processor determinesthat the mobile electronic device is stationary, the processor suspendsstorage of the current position.
 9. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 4, wherein the processor determines whether themobile electronic device is moving or stationary on the basis of thefirst tentative determination result and the second tentativedetermination result as the prescribed process, and wherein when theprocessor determines that the mobile electronic device is moving, theprocessor sequentially stores a current position detected by thepositioning module in the memory, and when the processor determines thatthe mobile electronic device is not moving, the processor suspendsstorage of the current position.
 10. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 5, wherein when the processor determines that themobile electronic device is moving, the processor sequentially stores acurrent position detected by the positioning module in the memory, andwhen the processor determines that the mobile electronic device is notmoving, the processor suspends storage of the current position.
 11. Themobile electronic device according to claim 7, wherein when theprocessor determines that the mobile electronic device is moving, theprocessor sequentially stores a current position detected by thepositioning module in the memory, and when the processor determines thatthe mobile electronic device is not moving, the processor suspendsstorage of the current position.
 12. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processor determines whether to storethe positional information detected by the positioning module in thememory on the basis of the first tentative determination result and thesecond tentative determination result as the prescribed process, whereinthe processor determines the first tentative determination result on thebasis of the signal obtained from the movement detection sensor, thefirst tentative determination result being one of (1a) moving and (1b)not moving, wherein the processor determines the second tentativedetermination result on the basis of the positional information detectedby the positioning module, the second tentative determination resultbeing one of (2a) moving, (2b) stationary, and (2c) indeterminate,wherein when the second tentative determination result is (2a) movingand the first tentative determination result is (1b) not moving, theprocessor sequentially stores a current position detected by thepositioning module in the memory, wherein when the second tentativedetermination result is (2b) stationary and the first tentativedetermination result is (1a) moving, the processor suspends storage ofthe current position in the memory, and wherein when the secondtentative determination result is (2c) indeterminate, the processorsequentially stores the current position detected by the positioningmodule in the memory when the first tentative determination result is(1a) moving, and the processor suspends storage of the current positionin the memory when the first tentative determination result is (1b) notmoving.
 13. The mobile electronic device according to claim 8, furthercomprising: a direction sensor, wherein the positioning module isconfigured to be switchable between receiving positional information andbeing suspended, and wherein the processor uses the direction sensor todetermine whether a turn has occurred, and, when that determinationresult indicates that a turn has occurred, makes the positioning modulereceive the positional information.
 14. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 9, further comprising: a direction sensor, whereinthe positioning module is configured to be switchable between receivingpositional information and being suspended, and wherein the processoruses the direction sensor to determine whether a turn has occurred, and,when that determination result indicates that a turn has occurred, makesthe positioning module receive the positional information.
 15. Themobile electronic device according to claim 11, further comprising: adirection sensor, wherein the positioning module is configured to beswitchable between receiving positional information and being suspended,and wherein the processor uses the direction sensor to determine whethera turn has occurred, and, when that determination result indicates thata turn has occurred, makes the positioning module receive the positionalinformation.
 16. The mobile electronic device according to claim 12,further comprising: a direction sensor, wherein the positioning moduleis configured to be switchable between receiving positional informationand being suspended, and wherein the processor uses the direction sensorto determine whether a turn has occurred, and, when that determinationresult indicates that a turn has occurred, makes the positioning modulereceive the positional information.
 17. The mobile electronic deviceaccording to claim 8, wherein the memory is a memory in which thecurrent position is stored via the positioning module, and wherein insequentially storing the current position detected by the positioningmodule in the memory, the processor instructs the positioning module tostore the current position and receives a storage complete notificationfrom the positioning module.
 18. The mobile electronic device accordingto claim 17, further comprising: a switch that switches between thememory and a non-volatile memory that stores map data, wherein whenissuing an instruction to store the current position, the processorinstructs the switch to switch to the memory.
 19. An electronictimepiece comprising: the mobile electronic device as set forth in claim1; a display unit that displays time, controlled by the processor in themobile electronic device.
 20. A determination method performed by aprocessor of a mobile electronic device that includes, in addition tothe processor, a positioning module that performs positioning of themobile electronic device by receiving radio waves from navigationsatellites; a movement detection sensor that detects movement of theelectronic device without using the radio waves from navigationsatellites; and a memory, the method comprising, via the processor:determining whether the mobile electronic device is moving on the basisof a first tentative determination result obtained by determiningwhether the mobile electronic device is moving based on a signalobtained from the movement detection sensor as well as a secondtentative determination result obtained by determining whether thedevice is moving based on positional information detected by thepositioning module; and upon determining that the mobile electronicdevice is moving, storing the positional information detected by thepositioning module in the memory.